Nine Tīnui properties are part of a proposed buyout programme for Wairarapa homes badly damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Masterton District Council [MDC] set out details yesterday of the $2.5 million proposal to take part in the government’s Future of Severely Affected Locations [Fosal] programme.
Nine properties with a total of 12 dwellings around Tīnui have been provisionally assessed as category 3, meaning they are not safe to live in due to the risk of flooding.
MDC said its share of the buyout costs would come from loan funding and confirmed the plan will be consulted on.
The estimated impact of this for the 2024-25 financial year would be an increase of 0.75 per cent in rates for the council.
This would mean an extra $26 per year for a median-value urban residential property.
Cyclone Gabrielle tore through parts of Masterton district in mid-February causing serious flooding in the small community of Tīnui.
Some in the township east of Masterton had to evacuate their homes at the time.
The local school was badly flooded, with mud through the classrooms. It operated from a community hall while the cleanup was underway.
A MDC spokesperson confirmed last month that confidential discussions with affected property owners were underway.
Under the Fosal funding arrangement, the government would contribute 50 per cent of the cost of buying out category 3 properties if the council
funds the other 50 per cent.
The estimated total cost to the council of the buyout programme would be $2.5 million.
MDC joins other councils in the North Island in managing similar issues.
Last month, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council confirmed there were 287 red-zoned category 3 properties in the region.
The buyout process in Hawke’s Bay for those affected has reportedly begun.
Auckland Council also reportedly plans to buyout about 700 flood-damaged properties as part of a $2 billion cost-sharing storm package with the government.
Consultation for the MDC proposal is open until 4pm on December 4. Council deliberations on the issue will be held on December 13.
Submissions can be made online at www.mstn.govt.nz.
Hard copies of the proposal are also available at the MDC offices at 161 Queen Street or Masterton District Library at 54 Queen Street.
-NZLDR
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